Croix de Labrie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2021

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

So much cool blue fruit and flowers here with minerals and subtle clove notes. Black licorice and black pepper, too. Medium body with very fine yet firm tannins. Focused and linear. Vibrant. The energy keeps going. 87% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

Mostly Merlot blended with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Château Croix De Labrie saw 80% new barrels, with the balance in once-used oak. Deep purple-hued, it offers beautiful notes of cassis, liquid violets, chalky minerality, and some beautifully integrated oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and nicely focused, yet with plenty of mid-palate depth and ripe tannins, this pure, elegant, concentrated 2021 will keep for 20+ years.

Bettane & Desseauve

91-92 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Toucher de tannin corpulent, longueur imposante, sève. Il faudra l’attendre, ce cru souvent bu trop jeune.

Alexandre Ma

92-93 / 100

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

Croix de Labrie has reduced the proportion of new oak to 80% for the 2021 vintage. As a winery famous for using 100% new oak in its blend, Croix de Labrie deserves some recognition for its bold attempt to think outside of the traditional "garage wine" boxes, and focus more on elegance. Thanks to the 3.6 pH, the wine maintains a fresh and juicy palate, with aromas of Chinese rose. Based on my tasting, I can say that it is a Saint-Emilion to look forward to. Croix de Labrie?2021??????????????80%,?????100%??????????,Croix de Labrie????“???”???????,???????,???????????????3.6?PH?,???????????????,?????????????????,????????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Deeply colored, you find, espresso, licorice, dark chocolate, smoke, roses, black plums, black raspberries and wet earth on the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, lush, rich, flamboyant and loaded with chocolate-coated black cherries and licorice. Long, fruity and fresh, give it a year or so in the bottle and enjoy it for 15 or more years with ease. The wine is a blend of 90% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% ABV, 3.6 pH. The harvest took place September 30-October 16. Drink from 2024-2039. 93-95

Jane Anson

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

91-93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

The 2021 Croix de Labrie was picked at 25hL/ha between September 30 and October 16, and matured in 80% new oak. It has quite a perfumed, floral bouquet of violet-tinged red fruit, with a touch of blueberry coming through. The harmonious palate is medium-bodied and silky-smooth, delivering pliant tannins and a persistent finish. This is a very pleasant surprise. A great showing.

vvwine

92-94 / 100

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Kräftige Farbe. Die Nase noch etwas vom Ausbau geprägt, nobles Holz, dahinter dunkle Beeren, darüber Veilchen, ein schöner Duft. Im Gaumen rund und mit Schmelz, erstaunlich körperreich, mit feinkörnigen Tanninen, einer rassigen Säure und einem langen, feinwürzigen und rotfruchtigen Abgang. Florale Töne im Retrofinale. Einer der gelungenen Weine des Jahrgangs. 2026-2036 (Verkostet im April 2022. Vintex/Dourthe)

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

Including 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc this year, the 2021 Croix de Labrie offers up aromas of dark berries, plums, red fruit compote, licorice and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, it's a lively, rather muscular wine with a fleshy core of fruit, tangy acids and powdery tannins. It attained almost 14% alcohol and will see maturation in 80% new oak.